Sydney Mines native and her husband charged with murder

By Andrew Rankin — Metro Halifax

HALIFAX — Dressed in an unbuttoned golf shirt, shorts and sandals, Dustin Brian Hales arrived in Dartmouth provincial court Monday to face a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his former common law partner.

The 37-year-old sat wide-eyed and fidgeting throughout the ordeal that lasted just minutes. He arrived moments after his wife and co-accused Victoria Ann Weir-Hales, who is originally from Sydney Mines, answered to the same charge.

The 26-year-old Weir-Hales, who sported a small tattoo behind her right ear, sat seemingly confused and dejected, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and grey yoga pants.

Judge Pam Williams ordered the case be put over to Dec. 19. At the request of Crown lawyer Denise Smith, Williams ruled the pair is to have no contact with each other.

Over the weekend, Halifax Regional Police laid the charges against the Dartmouth couple in the murder investigation of Christina Kathleen Cline, also of Dartmouth, whose body was found in Shubie Park on Nov. 19, 2011.

Though the couple is co-accused, Smith said they are charged on “separate informations,” which normally means they will face separate trials. But Smith said the Crown would consider having one trial, instead of two.

“There may be a reason why it’s sensible to proceed separately,” she said.

Hales’ defence lawyer Pavel Boubnov said he had spoken to the accused and said his client was very distraught about the charges and conditions he’s facing.

“He feels he needs to talk to his wife,” said Boubnov. “Obviously they have to make certain decisions about their finances, the property. As a normal family they have things to worry about.”

Hales, who is originally from Truro, and Cline had three children together. According to Boubnov they are currently in foster care.